David Villanueva, has discovered that digital cameras can be easily adapted to reveal the location of buried treasure from up to several hundred yards away.

Having successfully used a Polaroid camera for photographing auras given off by buried metal for a number of years, David was horrified when Polaroid stopped making the film in 2005 and usable original film quickly became unavailable at any price. In the short-term alternative film is available, which photographs treasure auras at least as well as the original film but Polaroid’s recent decision to cease all instant film production would make photographing treasure auras history…unless digital cameras could be used.

However, digital camera technology is very different to that of film cameras and what worked with Polaroid failed with digital. A complete re-think was needed! The breakthrough came after David learned of treasure hunters successfully using a highly specialised digital camera to locate caches buried along Spanish mule-train trails. So clearly it was possible to photograph auras digitally but could it be done without spending a fortune on high-tech equipment? After three years of intensive research the answer is absolutely yes! Some, possibly many, popular digital cameras are up to the task.

Using readily available photographic accessories that anyone can easily attach, without causing damage, the digital cameras tested were able to record an aura, from a distance, on a single quarter-ounce (seven-gram) gold sovereign coin buried six inches (150mm) underground. In extensive field trials cameras located buried metal over two feet (610mm) deep and could discriminate between different metals. The cameras could be hand-held or tripod-mounted and could capture auras anytime during daylight hours in a wide range of weather conditions. A colleague invited to test the system, with his own camera, clearly demonstrated that no special skill or ability was necessary by obtaining an aura on the first attempt.

The attached digital photograph shows an aura from one ounce of buried gold.

May 27, 2009, 02:35 PM

EpsilonMinus

Re: Digital cameras CAN see buried gold

Why is the 'invisible aura' reflecting off the leaves above it? This is absurd.

May 27, 2009, 03:36 PM

Kentucky Kache

Re: Digital cameras CAN see buried gold

Do you have more info on this?

May 29, 2009, 04:00 AM

Midas

Re: Digital cameras CAN see buried gold

Quote:

Originally Posted by EpsilonMinus

Why is the 'invisible aura' reflecting off the leaves above it? This is absurd.

The small target produces a concentrated bright area on the ground, over the target and a 'haze' (like on hot roads) extending up and out for 6-12 inches or so depending on target size and other factors. Hence surrounding vegetation will also reflect the aura, although less intensly than the target.

May 29, 2009, 04:29 AM

Midas

Re: Digital cameras CAN see buried gold

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cache Crazy

Do you have more info on this?

All buried metals (only metals) produce some form of electromagnetic radiation or aura, outside the visible light range but detectable by a camera. The strength of the aura is dependent mainly on the conductivity of the metal, with gold and silver giving the strongest auras. All things being equal, the colour of the aura varies with the type of metal, with gold tending to be deep red and silver, orange. So, the system will 'detect' all metal but there are two discrimination methods- aura size and colour. All this is explained and illustrated in The Successful Treasure Hunter’s Secret Manual, Discovering Treasure Auras in the Digital Age. The system is ideal for hunting larger targets, it is not generally worthwhile using the system for single coins, except for perhaps a scattered cache, as a metal detector is quicker. Clearly, there are advantages in being able to detect all metals as you may have a gold cache in an iron box or want to look for a jar of rare pennies etc.

Digital cameras that have so far produced auras are Canon, Olympus and Sony, with high-end models being the most flexible. There are no cameras on the 'definitely doesn't work' list yet.

The best camera has picked up a single gold coin at 15 feet (can't test further - there's a building in the way) and all cameras have picked up 3 ounces of gold/silver at this distance. A large iron object produced a discernible aura at 170 yards, and a gold cache has been found from an airplane using this process.

The main factors affecting the aura size are type and quantity of metal. Temperature, and by inference, time of day is another important factor, particularly on small targets. Higher temperatures produce stronger auras and the system can be frustrated at sub-zero temperatures by reflections off ice and snow. You will also need to get a clear shot at the target as tall dense vegetation, buildings etc, will mask the aura.

It is possible to effect the modification for nothing (without harming the camera) but the method is only really suitable for a quick test of camera capability. I advise buying a commercial filter, which will cost from $10 upwards depending on camera, fittings, etc.

If you can point and shoot a camera, the system will work. I invited a friend to try his own camera on my targets and his first shot produced an aura. I can shoot remotely from a computer also, without touching the camera, so you do not need any dowsing ability or special skill.

May 29, 2009, 04:41 AM

Midas

Re: Digital cameras CAN see buried gold

Sorry, if I have offended. I was merely alerting the good folks here to an exciting and practical new method for hunting treasure.

May 29, 2009, 06:31 AM

diggemall

Re: Digital cameras CAN see buried gold

So, what modifications / filters are required to try this ?

Diggem'

May 29, 2009, 07:45 AM

Midas

Re: Digital cameras CAN see buried gold

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diggemall

So, what modifications / filters are required to try this ?

Diggem'

You only need a filter fixed in front of the lens but the value of the filter depends on the camera. Traditionally Polaroid SX-70 cameras used a UV filter (c.300nm) for aura photography but digital cameras work over a much larger wavelength range. The camera, which took the picture I posted used a 720nm IR filter but other cameras have needed 850nm or 1000nm.

May 29, 2009, 08:28 AM

BuckleBoy

Re: Digital cameras CAN see buried gold

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midas

Sorry, if I have offended. I was merely alerting the good folks here to an exciting and practical new method for hunting treasure, I didn't mention a book.

Why talk about yourself in third person?

To make it seem like you're sharing a newspaper article about yourself with all of us?

::)

May 29, 2009, 08:47 AM

jeff of pa

Re: Digital cameras CAN see buried gold

Intresting Concept !

although considered "Out there" By some,

Please feel free to Explain the Technique Here

Any Possabilities which can Help us TreasureHunters
Should at least Be reviewed

May 29, 2009, 09:23 AM

Blacksheep

Re: Digital cameras CAN see buried gold

"The finest gift you can give anyone is encoragement. Yet, almost no one gets the encouragement they need to grow to their full potential. If everyone received the encouragement they need to grow, the genius in most everyone would blossom and the world would produce abundance beyond the wildest dreams. We would have more than one einstein, Edison, Schweitzer, Mother Theresa, Dr. Salk and other great minds in a century." »Sidney Madwed

;D

May 29, 2009, 09:31 AM

jeff of pa

Re: Digital cameras CAN see buried gold

very well put Blacksheep

May 29, 2009, 11:30 AM

jb7487

Re: Digital cameras CAN see buried gold

2) You say "In extensive field trials cameras located buried metal over two feet (610mm) deep and could discriminate between different metals. ". Were these double blind tests? Countless people have been tested who have claimed to have located metals by various means. But that is only because they already knew where the metals were to begin with. If you have evidence from true scientific studies that employ acceptable tests then please share it. If you do then I'd be happen to listen to your ideas on the subject.

May 29, 2009, 11:32 AM

jb7487

Re: Digital cameras CAN see buried gold

4) You say "The camera, which took the picture I posted used a 720nm IR filter but other cameras have needed 850nm or 1000nm.". You fail to mention that most digitial cameras have what is called an Internal IR Cut Filter over the sensor. This would likely have to be removed to get any real picture when using one of the filters you discuss above. Did you physically remove the internal IR filter when taking your pictures? Or did you post-process your pictures significantly to get any sort of image at all?

May 29, 2009, 11:33 AM

jb7487

Re: Digital cameras CAN see buried gold

5) Please discuss your post processing techniques so that we can all understand what is required.